In the Market Looking for Info...

[terrible1one3]

What do I need to know about these things before making the plunge and buying one.

What years are good? Any major changes from 97-03... what are the price ranges for these?

Why is there only two message boards here (General and Tech)? Why not a classifieds section?

Why does my browser warn me whenever I go to a thread, is this site hacked a bunch or something? Is there another more robust and stable Valkyrie forum?

Thanks,

Mike

[John Schmidt]

Look at the top underneath the header in yellow print.

[terrible1one3]

I saw that but why wouldn't it be in the forum format? Much nicer presentation, easier to search, pictures in the posts, anonymous notifications of responses as opposed to having to publicize information if you don't want to...

[Hoser]

Just click it, it ain't that hard, this is a bike forum, not a computer tech board.  F6 rider is a different site.  hoser

[BF]

"What do I need to know about these things before making the plunge and buying one"

What you need to know is that you're buying the cruiser of the year and the best, smoothest bike ever built.  You need to know that it's veeeeery powerful and veeeeeery FAST..... and can be scary fast if you're not used to it.  You need to know that it ain't a Harley.  You need to know that you'll be hard pressed to wipe the smile off of your face for 200,000 miles or more.  You need to know that every where you go people will come up to talk to you about your bike wondering what it is.  You need to know why did it you take soooo long to buy one. 

"What years are good? Any major changes from 97-03... what are the price ranges for these?"

All years are good.....seriously.  I'm no expert, but I think the '97's have different front wheel bearings......the '97's are said to have a different cam and slightly different carbs and are said to be a bit faster than the later models (especially the fast Red ones  ).  I'm not real sure, but I think the last year or two have coated wheels instead of the bare alum. ones that all the others have. 

Price ranges are anywhere from 5 to 7 grand and up for a Standard or Touer all the way up to 8 or 9 grand (or more) for an Interstate.

"Why is there only two message boards here (General and Tech)? Why not a classifieds section?"

Because that's the way it is.  The classifieds are here.......

http://members.vrccservices.com/classifieds/classifieds.php?ID=0001

There's also another Valk forum here......

http://www.valkyrie-owners.com/index.php

"Why does my browser warn me whenever I go to a thread, is this site hacked a bunch or something? Is there another more robust and stable Valkyrie forum?"

No clue.....but I don't have any problems with the site.....maybe it's your computer, provider, whatever. 

[Wildman]

In 2000 Honda improved the seat. Better padding.
You'll probably end up buying an Ultimate seat if you don't like the original.

[X Ring]

Since BF mentioned the VOIA forum, I might as well bring up the Delphi Valkyrie Riders Forum, http://forums.delphiforums.com/valkyrie/start

Marty

[terrible1one3]

Thanks for the info!

I have some experience with the flat 6. My Dad had a 2006 Gold Wing that I put a few thousand miles on while I was riding a Harley Night Train... And yeah, I noticed a bit of a difference between the gold wing and the Harley .

I've always loved the looks of these bikes and not having a cruiser in the stable has caused me to start looking.. I was looking at the Kawasaki 2000 and the VTX 1800 but really want a smooth motor. The VTX and Kawa are far ahead of harleys for smoothness and power but still not like a straight four or flat 6.

Good to hear I can go with the 97's and I think they have some of the best colors. I recently purchased a C5 corvette which were made from 97-04 and they made soo many upgrades in 02 all the experts were saying only get an '02 or newer so that is what I got.

Can't wait to find the "one" for me!

Thanks again for the information I'll be lurking to learn as much as possible before I take the plunge.

[SANDMAN5]

Also the 97-99's (not sure about the 2000) will have "MADE IN USA"
stamped on the engine and on the frame i.d. tag. Great way to
embarass a harley-boy at bike night.

[Kaiser]

I traded my '02 Night Train for an '01 Interstate and never looked back.

You will not regret it.  Best of luck in finding the perfect bike for you.

[John U.]

There is no doubt that you will not be dissapointed with a Valk. The motor and trans are just about bulletproof. A couple of more things you should know. The OEM honda windscreen is the best and expensive if it's not already on the bike. After market replacement screens are available so its the chrome hardware that's important. The OEM hard bags are also the best and also expensive if you need to add them. A Standard should be less expensive than a Tourer due to lack of screen and bags.
The Interstate is quite a bit different due to the fairing trunk, radio, intercom, gas gauge, better shocks. The ICM is also different, 2 degrees more advance and a steeper curve gives more pull to handle more weight.

[JetDriver]

Who's got Dag's website for this guy?  Dag has put a lot of effort into documenting the differences between the models and between the years.  But, as has been said, when you really boil it down, they're all pretty much the same.  The Standard is the base model.  The Tourer adds a windshield and saddlebags.  The Interstate adds a fairing with twin headlights, a gas gauge and a trunk.  If you're lucky enough to be comparing more than one, consider the bling the previous owner has installed- it's getting harder and harder to find accessories for these bikes.

[NITRO]

Who's got Dag's website for this guy?  Dag has put a lot of effort into documenting the differences between the models and between the years.  But, as has been said, when you really boil it down, they're all pretty much the same.  The Standard is the base model.  The Tourer adds a windshield and saddlebags.  The Interstate adds a fairing with twin headlights, a gas gauge and a trunk.  If you're lucky enough to be comparing more than one, consider the bling the previous owner has installed- it's getting harder and harder to find accessories for these bikes.

Here you go: http://www.valkyrienorway.com/

[39 Chev]

"What do I need to know about these things before making the plunge and buying one"

What you need to know is that you're buying the cruiser of the year and the best, smoothest bike ever built.  You need to know that it's veeeeery powerful and veeeeeery FAST..... and can be scary fast if you're not used to it.  You need to know that it ain't a Harley.  You need to know that you'll be hard pressed to wipe the smile off of your face for 200,000 miles or more.  You need to know that every where you go people will come up to talk to you about your bike wondering what it is.  You need to know why did it you take soooo long to buy one. 

"What years are good? Any major changes from 97-03... what are the price ranges for these?"

All years are good.....seriously.  I'm no expert, but I think the '97's have different front wheel bearings......the '97's are said to have a different cam and slightly different carbs and are said to be a bit faster than the later models (especially the fast Red ones  ).  I'm not real sure, but I think the last year or two have coated wheels instead of the bare alum. ones that all the others have. 

Price ranges are anywhere from 5 to 7 grand and up for a Standard or Touer all the way up to 8 or 9 grand (or more) for an Interstate.

"Why is there only two message boards here (General and Tech)? Why not a classifieds section?"

Because that's the way it is.  The classifieds are here.......

http://members.vrccservices.com/classifieds/classifieds.php?ID=0001

There's also another Valk forum here......

http://www.valkyrie-owners.com/index.php

"Why does my browser warn me whenever I go to a thread, is this site hacked a bunch or something? Is there another more robust and stable Valkyrie forum?"

No clue.....but I don't have any problems with the site.....maybe it's your computer, provider, whatever. 

Terrible,

My computer also pops a Warning Screen when I go to some threads.   It's something to do with Photobucket or something.  It says that they have Spyware.  I just click on "Ignore" and go to the thread anyway.

I don't know why it does it for us and not for other members.  I'm pretty active on other forums (DooTalk, VTXOA, ArcheryTalk, etc) and this is the only forum that does it. ??????

By the way, good luck on your search for a Valkyrie.  I came off a 1800 VTX R/S.  I loved that bike, but it just didn't work on long rides.  The Valkyrie is much more comfortable, but you might as well figure on a new seat if you want to take trips and stuff.  I couldn't handle the stock one.  I went with the Ultimate King Big Boy, but I'm a pretty big guy.

[dago mooserider]

I bought my 98 std less than a year ago. I had been trying to go for long distance rides with my dad (98 valk std.) and my uncle (1800 goldwing) on a gsxr 750. My wrist and back were not happy about this. I've ridden many cruiser style bikes from yahama warriors to modded harleys to g-wings and st's, and after a tire spinning ride on my dad's valk, I was hooked. I cannot belive honda did not sell enough of these to continue production. Best bike I've ever ridden. Good luck in your search. By the way I got my 98 with 16,000 on it  and excellent condition for $5,800. deals are out there.

[terrible1one3]

Awesome information!

So it looks like I just want to find the right "Touring" edition as I want shield and hard bags.

That's good to know because I had just assumed there was the regular and interstate and people added the aftermarket bags and shield.

Yeah, it will be a change, I cruise with a neighbor on a Vulcan 2000 and another on a VTX 1800 so it will be nice to be able to take the Valkyrie out with them and be able to keep up no problem. Right now I am on a Buell Ulysses so keeping up isn't an issue but the long cruises and trips are what I think I would rather have this type of bike for.

Can't wait!

[woefman]

+1  what BF said

and I repeat some

I researched this bike for least a year, despite having friends that already had them and still do.

Now I own one , I am on the other side of the fence.  I was the lurker going wow that thing looks like
some custom with a V-8 in it. Now at gas stops people go out of their way to look and freak when they look.

Me I'm not really into people looking at my chit, in fear of stealing it or trashing it, however I must admit
I have not had this look on my face after folks comment about it ( since i had hot rods as a kid).

I can't tell you how many times Harleys come runnin up on me thinking they are just going to
pack ride with another Harley(me), then they get up along side of me and they are like HUH !!!!

WTF is that ???

then they taper their potato potato down and if i let them go ahead they just sneak on past, otherwise I clock her up and they are Dust in the wind.

If your into reliability in a cruiser style bike, this is it, easy 200,000 mile bike trouble free if cared for.

Keep in mind before bash the board with your used purchase, key word was cared for, if you buy a used one from some Sap , that let the carbs gum up etc it's not Honda fault. Same is true if the
Petcock Diaphragm went to hell from sitting.

If i personally had one week link I'm worried about it is the rear end splines. It scares the hell out of me that they can go bad from lack of Maint. But the guys/gals on this board reasured me its not that scary if grease and change o rings.

So now if you really are looking for one, and trust what you read, then what are you waiting for ?

[woefman]

I saw that but why wouldn't it be in the forum format? Much nicer presentation, easier to search, pictures in the posts, anonymous notifications of responses as opposed to having to publicize information if you don't want to...

I feel your Pain , Before owned a Valk I was lurking here, and the Arizona Guys hang out on a section
that is not part of this board, and the format annoys the heck out of me, so I stay here, when I could
Prolly make more Valk Buddies by going there. Point being for noobs its confusing as it was for me back in the day. I think you will find a Bulk of your used Valks on craigs list. I would search there first
if you do not care for the provided link.

p.s. the Texas Boys are smart they joined this board( look close will see them listed), I'm glad you brought this up, maybe I was not the only one after all.

[terrible1one3]

So now if you really are looking for one, and trust what you read, then what are you waiting for ?

Married in August, Corvette in November, first house in December, new truck in December, new car in March (for her), 3 new flatscreen TV's, a ton of furniture and other house hold items...

Waiting for life to settle down a bit. I was going to purchase this year but the wife and I agreed that we should wait until next year so being the good husband and avid shopper I am doing just that.

[BF]

This link might help you in your search for a Valk.........

http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cpmoto&itm=honda&loc=&fil=Valkyrie&ys=1997&ye=2003&ps=&pe=&pgs=100&submit=++++go++++

[Hoser]

Awesome information!

So it looks like I just want to find the right "Touring" edition as I want shield and hard bags.

That's good to know because I had just assumed there was the regular and interstate and people added the aftermarket bags and shield.

Yeah, it will be a change, I cruise with a neighbor on a Vulcan 2000 and another on a VTX 1800 so it will be nice to be able to take the Valkyrie out with them and be able to keep up no problem. Right now I am on a Buell Ulysses so keeping up isn't an issue but the long cruises and trips are what I think I would rather have this type of bike for.

Can't wait!

You can do more than just keep up.    hoser

[PAVALKER]

This link might help you in your search for a Valk.........

http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cpmoto&itm=honda&loc=&fil=Valkyrie&ys=1997&ye=2003&ps=&pe=&pgs=100&submit=++++go++++

Another site I got to keep up with now.....